Dental bridges are an important part of keeping your smile strong and healthy when you’ve lost a tooth. They help you chew food and talk clearly, but they need special care. This makes it important to learn which foods to eat when wearing dental bridges and which ones to avoid. There are certain foods that can either harm your dental bridge or make it difficult for it to last for a long time.
Here are ten foods that you should not take in order to maintain the dental bridges.
1. Sticky Candies
Gummy bears, caramels, and taffy sweets are especially harmful if you have a dental bridge. Some of these types of candies need to be chewed and can easily stick to a dental bridge and cause it to become loose. By pulling on the sticky candy with your teeth, you can damage the bridge or even move it. Sticky sweets also cause tooth decay, and this has an effect on the teeth on which a bridge is fixed, affecting your missing teeth replacements.
2. Chewing Gum
Chewing gum, especially sticky types, can be harmful to your dental bridge. They stick onto the bridge and pull on it, which leaves the bridge unstable in due course of time. Regular use of chewing gum can also put too much pressure on your bridge and other adjacent teeth, causing breakage. Avoid the practice of chewing gum completely if you have dental bridges for its safety.
3. Nuts
Nuts are small, hard, and have a crunching texture—all these attributes make them unsafe for people who have a dental bridge. Chewing on tough foods such as almonds or peanuts can cause your dental bridge to break or the teeth holding the bridge to wear out. Although nuts are good for our health, you should avoid munching on them since they are hard on your bridge. It is better to go for softer items such as yogurt or cheese.
4. Crunchy Vegetables and Fruits
While fruits and vegetables are important for your health, some of them can be hard on your dental bridge. Crunchy foods like raw carrots, apples, and corn on the cob can put too much pressure on your dental bridges in Gainesville, causing them to break or shift. You can still enjoy these healthy foods by cutting them into smaller pieces or cooking them to make them softer.
5. Popcorn
Popcorn is a popular snack, but it can be risky if you have a dental bridge. The hard, unpopped kernels can crack or damage your bridge if you accidentally bite down on them. Additionally, the popcorn hulls can get stuck between your dental bridge and your gums, leading to irritation or even infection. If you’re unsure about your snack choices, consult a Gainesville dentist near you for personalized advice.
6. Hard Candies
Hard candies, such as lollipops or jawbreakers, can affect your dental bridge because they require a lot of pressure to bite or suck on. Biting into a hard candy can cause the bridge to crack, loosen, or even break. Hard candies also create a sugary coating on your teeth that can lead to cavities, further weakening the teeth that support your bridge.
7. Ice Cubes
Chewing ice cubes is a common habit for some people, but it can affect dental bridges. Ice is hard, and biting it can crack the dental bridge or damage the surrounding teeth. Even though ice doesn’t contain sugar, the hardness can still be harmful.
8. Tough Meats
Tough, chewy meats such as steak or beef jerky can be challenging to chew over when you have a dental bridge. You will have constant pulling and chewing of these foods, which may loosen the bridge or even strain the teeth holding it in place. If you are a meat lover, then choose softer ones like chicken or fish, which are easy on your Gainesville dental bridges.
9. Bread with Hard Crusts
Bread may seem harmless, but hard-crusted bread like French baguettes or bagels can put too much stress on your dental bridge. Biting into a hard crust can damage the bridge or cause it to shift out of place. Opt for softer bread that doesn’t require so much pressure when chewing to protect your dental bridge.
10. Seeds
Seeds, especially hard ones like pumpkin or sunflower seeds, can be harmful to your dental bridge. Biting down on these small, hard items can crack or chip the bridge. Seeds can also get stuck between the bridge and your gums, leading to discomfort or gum irritation. To prevent such issues and to keep your dental work safe, you need to know how the ingestion of foods before and after dental crowns impacts them. Therefore, you need to stay away from foods containing hard seeds.
How to Take Care of Your Dental Bridge?
In addition to avoiding certain foods, there are a few other ways you can take care of your dental bridge. Here are some tips:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft bristle toothbrush. Be gentle around the dental bridge, but ensure to clean it thoroughly to remove food particles.
- Floss regularly to keep the area around your bridge clean. There are special floss threads designed to clean under dental bridges.
- Visit your dentist regularly for checkups. Your dentist can check the condition of your bridge and ensure it’s still in good shape.
- Avoid using your teeth as tools to open packages or bottles. This can cause damage to your dental bridge.
Need a Dental Bridge? Speak to Our Specialists Today!
At Georgia Smile Team, we are dedicated to providing quality dental care for patients of all ages. Our experienced team of dentist in Gainesville offer quality care to help restore your smile and improve your oral health. Using the latest dental techniques, we ensure you receive comfortable, reliable care. Need a dental bridge? Speak to our specialists today and schedule your consultation!
